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Tommy Milone began the 2014 season in the A's rotation and won six straight decisions between May and June.

But then Milone was squeezed out of the rotation at the beginning of July when the A's acquired Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Cubs, and was dealt to Minnesota on July 31, where things just weren't the same.

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After one solid start at Triple-A Rochester, the Twins summoned Milone. But he struggled, posting a 7.06 ERA in six appearances (five starts).

According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, Milone was suffering from inflammation in his neck during his time with the Twins and he had hoped that it would just go away after the season.

But it didn't. He got a cortisone shot, but that didn't help.

On a visit to a specialist, a small benign tumor behind his neck was discovered. He had surgery on December 4 to remove the tumor.

"It's not anything anyone would've expected. I didn't expect that. I thought it was just a pinched nerve or something in there causing pain. But it ended up being a minor outpatient surgery, and they were able to clean it out and it's not an issue anymore," Milone told MLB.com.

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"I don't like making excuses, but throughout the year I felt it but was able to get through it while with the A's. But over here, it was just a multitude of different things. I was trying to do too much to try to be the guy they want me to be and what I want to be. So I might've put added pressure on myself. But now it's a new year and I can start fresh," Milone said.

Milone began throwing 16 days after the operation and is already in the midst of a throwing program as he gets ready for the 2015 season.

The 28-year-old Milone and Twins agreed to a one-year deal earlier in January worth $2.775 million and he will likely compete for a spot at the end of Minnesota's rotation that features Phil Hughes, Ricky Nolasco and Ervin Santana.